Typographical machine.



' D..S KENNEDY.

TYPOGRAPHlCAL MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 15. m7.

Patented May14,1918.

l EN TOR.

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UNITED STATES PATENT onnrcn.

DAVID S. KENNEDY, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR.TOMERGENTHALER LINOTYPE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14,1918.

Application filed February 15, 1917. Serial No. 148,716.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, DAVID S. KENNEDY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typographical Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 436,532, to O. Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

In these machines, the matrices are ordinarily conducted from the distributer to the magazine by a so-called magazine entrance, which is divided by a series of partitions into channels, one for each. of those of the magazine. The ,use of such. partitioned entrances, however, imposes an undue limitation upon the size of the matrices which might desirably be used in the machine and, in addition, is not entirely adapted to the best handling of the thin matrices, as gen erally speaking the channels are too narrow for the thicker matrices available and, are too wide for thethinner ones. It has already been proposed to vary the relative widths of the channels to correspond to the size or thickness of the individual matrices of a font, but this construction is unsuitable for many classes of work, which in some instances involve the interchange of widely different fonts or the transposition of the matrix characters, and which in other instances require the use of very large mat rices, such as those of the head-letter or display variety, etc. It has further been proposed to employ an entrance whose channels are constituted by, opposing grooves which engage and guide the matrices by their projecting ears as they travel from the distributer to the magazine. The use of such grooved entrances may permit the employment of the larger matrices or the better handling of the thinner ones, but as here tofore made they are incapable of universal application, that is to say, they are not adapted to any and all fonts which the machine may be called upon to handle, it being necessary to provide a specially constructed entrance for each font or for different fonts of the same general size. The difliculty, it has been found, is due particularly to the existing form of the matrices. As disclosed in the Mergenthaler patent above mentioned or as employed in the commercial machines, these matrices are formed on their vertical edges with projecting ears which guide. and support them during their travel through the machine, and at their upper ends with thin webs containing. distributing combinations which cooperate with those of the well-known distributer bar in effecting the release of the matrices at different points according to character. Except as to the very thin matrices or hair spaces, the projecting ears and the combination-webs on each matrix are of less thickness than its body portion and are located at the opposite sides thereof or in different vertical planes. As the matrices vary widely in thickness according to the characters they are intended to produce, it follows that the relative locations of the projecting ears and I combinations vary to a corresponding extent on the respective matrices of any given font, and even. to a different extent as between different fonts. Hence, in the use of a grooved magazine entrance, it has been necessary to locate its grooves in varying positions with respect to the bar combina tions so as to correspond to the relative location of' the projecting ears on the respective matrices of a given font, a s it is apparent thatduring distribution the projecting ears of the thinner matrices will be located nearer to the point of release from the dist-ributer bar than those of the thicker matrices, whose combinations are located at a greater distance from their projecting ears. The grooved entrance, therefore, was suitableonly for one particular font or a group of fonts embodying matrices of the same size.

My present invention is intended to overcome the above and other objections, and aims to adapt the machine for the distribution of matrices of all sizes and fonts, in-

eluding matrices ranging from the thinnest to the thickest, or those otherwise available for use therein. In carrying out my invention, specifically, I provide a grooved magazine entrance whose grooves are located in line with or in the vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the various combinations of the distributer bar, and further, I alter the position of the cooperating combinations of the matrices so as to bring them into the planes of the projecting ears which are located thereon at the forward side, with the result that all matrices, whether thin or thick, when released from the distributer bar will present their projecting ears in the planes of the releasing points of the bar and consequently in the planes of the underlying grooves of the magazine entrance. Accordingly, the machine capable of handling matrices of any font, from the smallest to the largest, of permitting their free interchange or transposition, and of guiding the matrices, whether thick or thin, positively and with certainty from the distributer to the proper channel of the magazine, thus increasing the capacity of the machine to the fullest possible extent.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown my invention only in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to a linotype machine, but obviously many variations and alterations may be made therein without departure from its spirit. Thus, it. may be adapted to other forms of typographical machines, such as typesetters,type casters and the like, which handle type or dies instead of matrices. Generally speaking, I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to any specific form or embodiment except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse section through the distributer, magazine entrance and the upper end of the magazine;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig.1; 7

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing my invention applied to a machine equipped with a partitioned entrance as distinguished from a grooved entrance;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view comparing the old and new methods of distribution; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective of one of the new matrices.

The matrices X are stored according to font in the several magazines D of the ordinary construction, released therefrom in the usual way and assembled in line, and then presented to the casting mechanism for the production of the slug. After casting, the matrices are carried upward and delivered into the customary distributer box (not shown), fed therefrom one by one onto the distributer bar or rail A, conveyed therealong by the rotating screws B, and dropped into one or another of .the channels of the magazine entrance C leading to the corresponding grooved channels of the selected one of the magazines. The distributer bar is of the usual form, being of V-shape in cross sec tion. and provided with a series of successive tooth or distributing combinations which control the release of the matrices at the required points according to character for return to their proper channels in the magazines. Except as hereinafter noted, the matrices X are also of the usual form, each provided at its opposite edges with pairs of projecting ears 2?, which are of substantially uniform thickness throughout the font, and presenting at its upper end a th n web-portion X containing a tooth or distributing combination adapted to cooperate with the corresponding combination on the bar A in effecting the release of the matrix therefrom.

As shown in Figs 1 and 2, the channels of the magazine entrance C are constituted by sets of opposing grooves C formed in the inner faces of its side plates and extending from the several. tooth combinations of the bar A to the corresponding channels of the magazine D. In accordance with my invention and for a purpose hereinafter to appear, these sets of grooves C are disposed in direct alinement with or in the vertical planes of the releasing points of the bar combinations, as clearly indicated by the dot and dash lines in Fig. 2. It may be noted that the tooth combinations are disposed at unequal distances apart on the bar A and that the grooves C are similarly spaced to correspond.

The matrices X differ from those in commen use only in respect to the location of the combination web X which, in accordance with my invention, is located at the forward side of the matrix and in the vertical plane of the projecting ears X (See Fig. 5). The old matrices are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, being designated Y, and each shown as formed with the combination web Y and the projecting ears Y the former located at the rear side, and the latter at the forward side of the matrix. The effect of the difference between the two forms is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. l, where it will be seen that when two of the old matrices Y of different thicknesses are released from the distributer bar at the same point, their projecting ears Y are located at different distances therefrom and travel. in different vertical planes; whereas, when two of the improved matrices X of different thicknesses are so released from the bar, their projecting ears are located in the same position with respect to the point of release and travel in the same vertical plane.

According to the present invention, therefore, when any of the matrices X are released at a given point from the bar A, their projecting ears X are presented in the same position, viz., in the vertical plane of the point of release and of the underlying entrance groove C and are consequently directed into the latter irrespective of the relative thicknesses of the matrix body portions, thus adapting the machine to distribute matrices of all sizes and fonts, or those otherwise available for use therein. The essence of the invention in this regard lies in preserving throughout a font or fonts the same relation between the matrix ears and combinations as that existing between the bar combinations and the entrance groove-channels, so that when the matrices are released from the bar their projecting ears, irrespective of the matrix body thicknesses, will be presented in the planes of the entrance grooves. As before stated, this definite relation of the parts is secured by locating the entrance groove channels in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the bar combinations and by arranging the matrix combinations in the plane of the guiding cars at the forward sides of the matrices, but it should be understood that this precise position of the matrix combinations and guiding cars is not absolutely essential, as they might be located at the rear side of the matrix centrally thereof, or at any other convenient point, so long as they remain in the same plane or in a definite relative position throughout the font or fonts. It is pointed out, however, that the location of the combinations and ears at the 7 forward side of the matrix presents other advantages which are important. Thus, as so constructed, the matrices are capable of cooperating with the standard or existing parts of the machine without change, such as the magazines, distributer boxes, partitioned entrances, etc., these advantages resulting from the fact that the guiding ears remain in the same location on the matrices as heretofore.

I In Fig. 3 there is illustrated the use of the improved matrices in connection with a magazine entrance E whose channels, unlike the entrance C, are constituted by a se ries of partitions E At its lower or discharge end, the entrance E is provided as usual with laterally projecting flanges or guides E which are adapted to engage and cooperate with the projecting ears of the matrices to insure their proper delivery into the grooved channels of themagazine. At the right of the figure, .there is illustrated the action of these guides E upon the matrices Y of the old construction. Due to the location of the distributing combinations at the rear sid of these matrices, the thinner ones are dropped into the entrance channel at the left, and consequently, their projecting ears strike against the guides and are deflected thereby sharply to the right in order to pass into the magazine channel. At the left of the figure, several of the new matrices X are shown passing through the entrance, and it will be observed that due to the location of the distributing combinations at the forward side, the thinner ones are dropped into the channel at the right and may consequently pass directly into the magazine channels without impinging against or being intercepted by the guides E Owing to the location of the combinations at the forward side of the improved matrices X, the latter may have a tendency to swing forwardly away from the screw threads as they are advanced thereby along the distributer bar. To obviate this liability, the screws are so constructed (see Fig. 2) that the opposite side walls of the successive thread portions or of the intermediate grooves are brought sufiiciently close together to avoid any excessive play of the matrix ears in the grooves.

By the term forward side as herein employed is meant that side of the matrix which, during the travel of the latter through the distributing mechanism, is the leading as distinguished from the following one. In this connection, it must be remembered that sometimes or at certain stages in the circulation of the matrix through the machine, it travels otherwise than with the above-indicated side foremost, for instance, during composition, when such side is the following instead of the leading one.

As previously stated, I have shown my invention only in preferred form and by way ofexample, and obviously many variations and alterations therein will suggest them-- selves to those skilled in the art without departure from its scope.

Having thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In. a typographical machine, the com bination of a distributer presenting a series of combinations at different points in its length, a channeled magazine, and an in termediate magazine entrance having channels leading from the distributer combina tions to the corresponding channels of the magazine, the said entrance channels being constituted by sets of opposing grooves formed in the opposite side plates of the entrance and lying in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the corresponding distributer combinations.

2-. In a typographical machine, the combination of a distributer presenting a series of combinations at different points in its length, a channeled magazine, and an inter mediate magazine entrance having channels leading from the distributer combinations to the corresponding channels of the magazine, the said entrance channels being constituted by sets of opposing grooves formed in the opposite side plates of the entrance, and the several sets of grooves being located in the same position with respect to the releasing points of their corresponding distributer combination 3. In a typographical machine, the com bination of a font of type or matrices each formed with distributing combination and with projecting cars, a channeled magazine wherein the font is stored, a distributer hav ing a series of combinations to cooperate with those of the type or matrices, and a magazine entrance formed with sets of opposing grooves leading from the distributer combinations to the corresponding channels of the magazine, the several sets of entrance grooves being located in the same position with respect to the releasing points of their corresponding distributor combinations, and the type or matrices throughout the font having their combinations and projecting ears arranged in the same relatve positions to correspond with the relative loca ion of the entrance grooves and the releasing points of the distributer combinations.

ln a typographical machine, the con1- bination of a font of type or matrices each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting cars, a channeled magazine wherein the font is stored, a distributor having series of combinations to cooperate with those :of the type or matrices, and a magazine entrance formed with sets of opposing grooves leading from the distributer combinations to the corresponding channels of the magazine, the entrance grooves being disposed in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the corresponding distributer combinations, and each of the type or matrices of the fonthaving its combination and projecting ears arranged in the same plane to correspond with the relative location of the entrance grooves and the releasing points of the distributor combinations.

5. In a typographical machine, the combination of a font of type or matrices each formed with a distributing combination. and with projecting cars, a channeled magazine wherein the font is stored, a distributor having a series of combinations to cooperate with those of the type or matrices, and a magazine entrance formed with ofopposing grooves leading from the distributor combinations to the corresponding channels of the magazine, the entrance grooves being disposed in vertical planes passing thro h the releasing points of the correspont 12g distributor combinations, and each. of the type or matrices of the font having its combination and projecting ears arranged in a same plane to correspond wi h the relative location of the entrance grooves and the releasing points of the distributor combinations and located at the forward or leading side thereof.

6. In a typographical machine, the combination of a distributor presenting a series of type or matrix releasing combinations at dili'erent points in its length, and a cooperating member having a corresponding series of channels to receive the released type or matrices therefrom, the said channels being constituted l y sets of opposing grooves, and all of the several sets being located in the same position with respect to the releasing points of their corresponding distributor combinations.

7. In a typ c graphica1 machine, the combination of a distributor presenting a series of type or matrix releasing combinations at different points in its length, and a cooperating member having a corresponding series of channels to receive the released type or matrices therefrom, the said channels being constituted by sets of opposing 'rooves lying in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of their respective distribnter combinations.

8. ln a typographical machine, the combination of a plurality of fonts of type or matrices of ditferent sizes in the respective fonts and each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting cars, a distributer having a series of combinations to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at different points according to character, and a cooperating member formed with sets of opposing grooves to receive the released type or matrices. the said sets of grooves and the releasing points of the respective distributer combinations being arranged in a given relation, and the type or matrices of all the fonts havin their combinations and projecting ears arranged in the same relation as that existing between the sets of grooves and the releasing points of the distributor com binat-ions.

9. In a typographical machine, the combiration of a plurality of fonts of type or matrices of diflerent sizes in the respective fonts and each formed With a distributing combination and with projecting ears, a'distributer having a series of combinations to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at different points according to character, and a cooperating member formed with sets of opposing grooves to receive the released type or matrices, the Said sets of grooves being disposed in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the corresponding distributer combinations, and the type or matrices of all the fonts having their combinations and projecting ears arranged in the same plane to correspond with the relative disposition of the sets of grooves and the releasing points of the distributor combinations.

10. In a typographical machine, the combination of type or matrices of varying body thicknesses, each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting ears, a distributor having a combination to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at the same point, and a grooved member to receive the released type or matrices and having its groove arranged in a given relation to the releasing point of the distributer combination, the said type or matrices irrespective of their different thicknesses having their combinations and projecting ears arranged in the same relation as that existing between the said groove and the distributor combination, for the purpose described.

11. In a typographical machine, the combination of type or matrices of.varying body thicknesses, each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting ears, a distributor having a combination to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at the same point, and a grooved member to receive the released type or matrices and having its groove arranged in a vertical plane passing through the releasing point of the distributer combination, the said type or matrices having their combinations and projecting ears arranged in the same plane irrespective of their body thicknesses to correspond to the relation existing between the aforesaid groove and distributer combination.

12. In a typographical machine, the combination of type or matrices of varying body thicknesses, each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting ears, a distributer-having a combination to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at the same point, and a member to receive the released type or matrices and provided with means for guiding them by their projecting ears, the said type or matrices having their projecting ears and distributing combinations located in the same relation thereon; whereby when released from the distributor the projecting ears of all the matrices, irrespective of their body thicknesses, will be presented in the same relation to the guiding means.

13. In a typographical machine, the combination of a plurality of fonts of type or matrices of different sizes in the respective points according to character irrespective of font, and a. cooperating member formed with sets of opposing grooves to receive the released type or matrices, the said sets of grooves being disposed in vertical planes passing through the releasing points of the corresponding distributer combinations; whereby when released from the distributor the projecting ears of all the matrices, irrespective of size or font, will enter the grooves of the cooperating member.

1a. In a typographical machine, the combination of type or matrices of varying body thicknesses each formed with a distributing combination and with projecting ears located at its forward side and in the same vertical plane, a distributer having a combination to cooperate wlth those of the type or matrices and efiect their release therefrom at the same point, and a grooved member to receive the released type or matrices and having its groove arranged in a vertical plane passing through the releasing point of the distributer combination, for the purpose described.

15. In a typographical machine, the combination of a font of type or matrices each formed on its opposite edges with projecting ears and provided at its upper end with a distributing combination, the said projecting ears and combination being arranged in the same plane and located at the forward side of each type or matrix throughout the font, a distributor having a series of combinations to cooperate with those of the type or matrices and effect their release therefrom at difierent points according to character, and a cooperating member formed with sets of opposing grooves to receive the released type or matrices, and said sets of grooves being located in vertical planes passing through.

the releasing points of the corresponding distributer combinations, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature.

DAVID S. KENNEDY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. 

